Sand Pine Spotlight

Keeping our Crane families in the know!

2020-2021 School Year, Volume 5

September 12, 2020

Hello Cranes!

Hello Cranes!

Welcome to Volume 5 of the Sand Pine Spotlight. Please continue to look for more newsletters like these to keep you updated with the latest and greatest information regarding the 2020-21 school year.


We have had a terrific start to the school year! We hope all of you are settling into the new routines. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or concerns.


SPES CRANES ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Hello Cranes!
School Pictures

School Pictures

On Friday, September 18, all traditional students will be taking school pictures. Information was sent home with your child last week. If you did not receive it, please contact your child's teacher to send another flyer home. If you miss picture day, make up pictures will be taken on November 2.


School pictures for mySchool Online students will be Monday, November 2. Please see the flyer linked below for the schedule to bring your child to campus. If you have multiple children in different grade levels, please call the office the week before so we can work out a special time for you!


We look forward to seeing all of our Cranes looking sharp!

School Pictures
Big picture
Rainy Day Dismissal

Rainy Day Dismissal

To streamline dismissal in the event of rainy or severe weather, Sand Pine will be utilizing Remind. You can access Remind either as an app on your smartphone or on the web. Please sign up to join according to your child's grade level. If it is raining or rain is imminent, we will call rainy day dismissal no later than 3:00 pm. We will immediately send out a notification on Remind that says "Rainy Day Dismissal Today."


When rainy day is called, walkers and bikers will not be permitted to leave campus. They must have an alternate plan for getting home, and that plan should be communicated to the child's teacher now - before rainy day happens. A parent, guardian, or contact that is listed on the child's emergency card must come pick them up. This is to ensure our students are as safe as possible in threatening weather.


Please see the Remind codes below for signing up. If you have questions, please feel free to call the office. We would be glad to assist you!

Rainy Day Dismissal
What happens if my child gets sick?

What happens if my child gets sick?

Keeping all of our Cranes healthy and safe is our number one priority! Bringing this to fruition will require a team effort between school staff and families.


Each pod has a mobile first aid kit for minor injuries like small cuts/abrasions, insect bites, etc. Taking care of those types of injuries in the classroom will reduce traffic in the clinic. However, if your child needs attention for more serious injuries or symptoms, school staff will escort them to the clinic where they can be thoroughly evaluated by our clinic assistant or school nurse. If they are showing symptoms of COVID-19, students will be placed in an isolation room that is separate from the clinic and parent contact will be made.


Please reference the district COVID Response Guide for step-by-step plans for both positive cases and those exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

What happens if my child gets sick?
NWEA MAP Testing

NWEA MAP Testing

For the past few weeks, all Sand Pine students have been participating in a new assessment, the NWEA MAP Growth assessment. This test is taking the place of quarterly checks and will be given three times a year. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.


MAP Growth tests are unique and adapt to your child’s responses to measure your child’s skill level. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.

Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores that are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, and then plan instruction accordingly.


MAP Growth reports also provide typical growth data for students who are in the same grade, subject and have the same starting performance level. Following each testing period, your child’s teacher will share information with you to let you know how your child is performing academically.


We are truly excited to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement. For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/familytoolkit.

NWEA MAP Testing

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act Notification

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that each year schools notify parents, teachers, and students in writing of the availability of Management Plans for asbestos materials identified in each school.


NOTICE TO BUILDING OCCUPANTS

AND PARENTS

NOTIFICATION OF INSPECTION FOR ASBESTOS CONTAINING

MATERIALS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule, 40 CFR Part 763, Asbestos Containing Material in schools, commonly referred to as AHERA. This rule requires all Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) to identify asbestos containing materials (ACM) in their school buildings and to take appropriate actions to control the release of asbestos fibers.

All inspections for Sand Pine Elementary School have been completed and a Management Plan describing the results of the inspection and the action plan to control any asbestos found during the inspection, where applicable, has been submitted to the governor for approval. A copy of this plan is located in the administrative office of this school and at the Pasco County Schools Maintenance & Facility Services Department and is available for review upon request.

New to the Nest!

New to the Nest!

Meet Amanda Stover, our new PE Instructional Assistant!


  • Born and raised in New Jersey
  • Moved to Wesley Chapel two years ago
  • Attends UCF and is pursuing a degree in entertainment management
  • Percussionist since elementary school
  • Has two dogs, Crystal and Mischief
  • Enjoys being with family, traveling, visiting Disney, and listening to music
  • Favorite books include "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman, "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein, and the Harry Potter series
New to the Nest!
Upcoming Dates

Upcoming Dates

Thursday, September 17 - All Pro Dads meeting 6:30 pm

Friday, September 18 - School Pictures (traditional students)

Thursday, September 24 - SAC meeting 4:00 pm

Upcoming Dates
About us

About us

About us
Please contact us at any time. We love hearing from our families!


Mrs. Christina Twardosz, Principal

Mrs. Lisa Grimsley, Assistant Principal

29040 County Line Road, Wesley Chapel, FL, USA lgrimsle@pasco.k12.fl.us (813) 794-1900 spes.pasco.k12.fl.us/